Name That Vehicle

[RHClarke]

I love my job (for as long as it lasts...).

[chris vickery]

That would be the new Oskosh truck aka Bushmaster in Australia, correct?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by chris vickery
That would be the new Oskosh truck aka Bushmaster in Australia, correct?

Isn't it a RG-32M mine hardened patrol vehicle?

Pic below shows a Bushmaster armored patrol vehicle (foreground) in service with the Australian Army in Iraq. The Dutch Army is procuring the Bushmaster for deployment in Southern Afghanistan. (Photo by CPL Robert Nyffenegger; Australian Department of Defence) (source)

Similar, but different.

H.

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by chris vickery
That would be the new Oskosh truck aka Bushmaster in Australia, correct?

Chris, you were thinking of this beast (the truck that is):
Note: height of vehicles are different.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by RHClarke
Chris, you were thinking of this beast (the truck that is):

So, you are driving a different armoured truck to work every day of the week?

H.

[chris vickery]

After reading Hannos response I did some checking. Is this version an up-armoured RG-32M? The origins of it is from South Africa?

[RHClarke]

Originally posted by chris vickery
After reading Hannos response I did some checking. Is this version an up-armoured RG-32M? The origins of it is from South Africa?

It would be nice to commute with one of these trucks - especially if the govt picked up the tab, but I'll stick to my van.

Just one of the perks in the requirements world.

See the following website for a shot of the US version and other US mil vehicles in service in Iraq/A-Stan.

http://www.ericsiegmund.com/fireant/...ages/RG31.html

The fol is a press clipping (with some factual errors and interesting opinions.

PUBLICATION: The Daily Gleaner (Fredericton)
DATE: 2006.09.06
PAGE: B8
SECTION: SPORTS
BYLINE: Michael StaplesThe military
WORD COUNT: 638

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New armoured vehicle holds a lot of promise;

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It's heavy.

It's sturdy.

It's dependable.

And according to the Canadian military, it can resist a blast equivalent to two anti-tank mines exploding at the same time.

What is it?

It's the Nyala, one of the new vehicle additions to the Canadian army. It has recently been introduced to this country's military operations in Afghanistan.

In an environment where fanatics pursue their version of God and paradise by wrapping themselves in dynamite or its equivalent, stuff automobiles full of explosives, and plant bombs along roadsides with the aim of killing as many foreign troops and innocent civilians as possible, the Nyala can only mean good news to our soldiers.

For local troops, training on the "tougher than nails" new vehicle begins later this month at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown.

The rough and rugged Nyala has also become the vehicle of choice for the United Nations in its role as peacekeeper at other hot spots around the world and with NGOs, non-governmental organizations.

The Canadian military ordered 50 of the vehicles in November of last year at a cost of $60.3 million. The option of ordering an additional 25 at $31 million was exercised in May.

Once built and taken delivery of, Canada will have an impressive collection of protective vehicles at its fingertips.

According to a National Post article published earlier this year, the Canadian version of the vehicle is being manufactured by a South African company under the guidance of General Dynamics Land Systems Canada.

It will be retrofitted with a state-of-the-art "Kongsberg Protector M151 Remote Weapon Station," which allows Canadian soldiers to fire the weapon day or night while remaining protected within the vehicle, further noted The Post.

Information on D-Net, the Department of National Defence website, reveals that the RG-31 Nyala and its sister, the Mamba, are two variants of a South African mine hardened vehicle purchased by Canada for use by Field Engineer Reconnaissance elements in operational theatres.

"The 4x4 vehicle is used to evaluate routes in areas where the mine threat is high," notes the website.

"The vehicle's V-shaped hull and high suspension are designed to resist a blast equivalent to two TM-57 anti-tank mines detonating simultaneously. Both vehicles are currently in service, the Nyala being the newer variant.

"The Mamba has seen service in Bosnia and the Nyala has (been) deployed to Ethiopia / Eritrea and Afghanistan."

Specifications for the Nyala, which comes with a price tag of close to $900, 000, shows an armament that includes a Browning .50 cal heavy machine gun, a weapon capable of inflicting its fair share of damage.

The Nyala is 5.46 metres in length, 2.21 metres width, 2.50 metres high and has a combat weight of 6, 800 kilograms.

For an engine, it is equipped with a Daimler-Benz OM 352, six-cylinder diesel, 123 HP and can go a maximum speed of 100 km/h. It can hold up to 11 soldiers and can be exited through a large rear door and by two located on the sides.

Defense Update, an International Online Defense Magazine, reports that another verison of the Nyala , the RG-31M, is currently in service with U.S. Army Task Force Pathfinder attached to the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq.

It is used with Explosive Ordnance Disposal units of the U.S. Marine Corps, assisting in locating and neutralizing IEDs, most commonly set up along roadsides and designed to blow unsuspecting vehicles and their occupants into another reality.

It features a military wiring harness, central tire inflation, several other new characteristics and can accommodate a crew of five.

Procurement of 148 additional vehicles, under a $97 million contract was announced in February 2005, further noted the magazine.

The fact the Canadian military is now using vehicles similar to what the U.S. is utilizing in Saddam Hussein's former country is another indication of how Afghanistan is becoming our own Iraq. What is happening in the two countries bear striking similarities, as the families of fallen Canadian soldiers can, undoubtedly, attest to.

Like a Paul McCartney lyric from a 1970s or 80s song, many people believe the presence of Canadian troops in Afghanistan makes no sense.

When last weekend's five deaths are added to the list, 32 Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

But even the critics of the Afghan mission agree if we have to be in that theatre, the addition of the Nyala will give Canadian soldiers some much needed protection.

It is slowly but surely displacing the G-Wagon patrol vehicle, a good piece of equipment in its own way but not as protective as the Nyala.

In the end, having adequate protection is what it is all about. It can literally mean the difference between life and death.

With Afghanistan being what it is, no chances should be taken when it comes to the lives of our troops.

We want to see them walking from the plane when they return home and not being carried.

Since we are committed to being in Afghanistan for at least another two years, the close to $100 million the Nyala has cost us appears to be money well spent.

It's hard to argue with that logic, regardless of where you stand on the Afghan issue.

Michael Staples covers the military for The Daily Gleaner. He can be reached at staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by chris vickery
Is this version an up-armoured RG-32M? The origins of it is from South Africa?

Correct, built by South Africa’s leading military vehicle manufacturer, Land Systems OMC (part of BAE Systems).

It could also be the earlier RG-31 Nyala, as being used by Canadian troops in Afghanistan (source.

H.